KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, December 18, 2017
Chapters: Book of I Timothy
Message: Godliness With Contentment
Hello My Friend,
Yesterday I talked a little about being content with what God has given us, yet never being lax about wanting more. Content; Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition. As I was praying this morning, even before I read the chapters for today, I discovered something, I have not been content with my life for quite some time. You see, our flesh often desires things because it is not content with what it has already, the flesh is deceitful in that it really does not know what it wants because once it gets it it often discovers it is not what it needed all along. We can be faithful to God and still not be content, the key to being content is not anything we can do to please our flesh, it is what we can do to please our spirit, and that only comes from the Holy Spirit. We can be content in our current circumstances, we just need to come to the reality that it is Godliness that we need. What is Godliness? Christ. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” – I Timothy 3:16.
As the churches of Christ increased in number, questions of church order, soundness in faith, and of discipline became important. At first the apostles regulated these things directly, but as they were dying off it became necessary that a clear understanding should be made for the guidance of the churches. Paul sent Timothy this letter to not only warn him against false doctrine, but inform them that while the church of Christ is no longer under the Law of Moses, it is to never be discredited nor forgotten.
“As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” – I Timothy 1:3-11.
“Desiring to be teachers of the law;” Many churches today disregard the Old Testament stating that it was only for the Jews and it does not apply to us today. Let me tell you, While God had His own way of dealing with people over the years, His basic the principals apply to all. Yes, some of the things were directed specifically for the Jews and where they were at the time, but the basic principals of the law still apply to all believers today. While we are no l longer under the law of Moses, God does want us to have some morals. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” – Romans 6:15-17.
No law is made for those who want to do right, they are made for the very people who defy them, no matter what it is. Still today there are many, men and women claiming titles in the church that absolutely have no idea what they are teaching nor do they the have a desire to teach the truth. In fact, some churches go so far beyond the law that no one has a chance to get into heaven. Sadly, all these churches are doing is helping the devil send millions of people to hell with him, and all it takes is one alteration in what they believe the Gospel to be to do it. Ignorance does not save a person from the punishment of death and hell, and lying to the people certainly does not save them from it either. Paul warns Timothy of churches that sway away from the Gospel.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” – I Timothy 4:1-6,10.
“Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,” Do these sound familiar? Do these sound familiar? Catholics forbid anyone serving in their church to be married, and yet allow gay priests (go figure). Mormons and Muslims are not allowed to eat pork or shellfish, Islam teaches they must kill anyone who is not a believer, some Baptist and Jehovah’s Witness forbid observing any holidays, even birthdays. These are all religions that have departed from the faith, coming up with their own doctrine, and all they do is lead to hell. Okay, as you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you He tells you what you ought to be doing and what is forbidden for you. God deals with each and every one of us individually, sometimes what He allows He forbids another, this has nothing to do with doctrine, but our own conscious, we are to never alter sound doctrine. Paul reminds Timothy that we are all sinners, and while some sins are more noticeable, we are to never be partial to others.
“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” – I Timothy 5:21-25.
“but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” God does not want us just drinking water to keep us filled, He wants us filled with the wine of Christ, it is the only way we learn to live under the authority of the Bible and become effective in serving God. We are to take care to watch what others do at all times so that we do not become partakers of their sins. We are to also keep ourselves pure in not only from walking into sin, but condoning it when we see it. Regardless of whether or not we work in the church, we are not perfect, we have this flesh, we are going to mess up, the great thing is that we can learn from our mistakes. God wants willing souls who believe in His Son, and love Him to get out there and teach His truths to a lost and dying world. Paul stresses the importance of living by those basic principals of God.
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” – I Timothy 6:3-8,12.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” We may not like our present circumstances, but we can learn to be content no matter what we are going through. Contentment comes first by knowing you are saved, not every person who professes Christ knows Christ, only God knows who are His. Second, contentment is realizing that we cannot control everything, things are not always going to go as we plan, but they do not have to because God has a greater plan. And contentment is standing by your faith, and not wavering under any circumstances. While we certainly have our own faults, only we can show the true Christ in us by standing by our faith. People should be able to tell if you know Christ, even if they have no idea who He is, and if they try to get you to “convince them” that your church is what will win them over to Christ run, all they are attempting to do is get you to waver. Discontentment comes because we allow a little bit of the world to creep in and before you know it we are wavering, but we can turn things around by repenting. “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” – Revelation 3:2-3.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” – I Timothy 2:5-6.
Today’s Prayer: God, It is still amazing to get up every morning knowing that it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. He has turned my life completely around as I learn the truth from Your Word and live in obedience to it. I confess that I am not content, even obedience to You does not bring contentment because I allowed part of the world to creep in and am now trying to get rid of it, but I know I can do all things through You, who is my strength. Lord, I know I am going to mess up, but I am trusting You to lead me and guide me in whatever will that You have for me. Show me the way, help me understand, never let me waver in my faith or cease from developing that personal relationship with Christ that shows me that I can do all things through Him. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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